Space to entertain

Architect Stephen Kavanagh turned a dark, dated kitchen into a bright, social kitchen-diner

A dark, dated kitchen extension has been replaced with a modern, lightfilled one that is the ideal social space

Light, space and warmth were the owners’ key reasons for extending this three-bedroom 1930s home in Dublin. An earlier kitchen extension separated the dining room from the garden and prevented light from flooding into the house. It was also a major source of heat loss, leading to high energy bills. The owners’ vision was clear – they wanted a light, openplan kitchen-diner that was ideal for social cooking and hosting guests.

Maximising space was crucial for this project, so we designed the extension as simply as possible, creating a large, box-like structure that could be brought to life with interesting details. Wall-to-wall glazing brings the outside into the home, offering a panoramic view of the garden that the previous extension and shed kept hidden. Inside, we used warm, tactile materials to counteract the crisp, modern feel of the glass. The exposed timber frame in the roof is mirrored by the timber finish of the window frames. Outside, timber cladding, charred with a blowtorch on site, provides a rough, monochrome finish to contrast with the white render of the rest of the house.

What was once an energy drain is now a ‘radiator’, keeping the house warm throughout the day, thanks to the super- efficient glazing and rooflights. In the kitchen, concealed LED lights illuminate the exposed timber joists and work surfaces, while timber-concrete pendants above the table create a warm glow.

The result is a welcoming, open-plan space, perfect for family dinners and entertaining. Architects: Stephen Kavanagh Architects, 07855 258629, stephenkavanagharch.com Number of bedrooms: Three Total project cost: £132,000

AFTER BEFORE